Wyclef Jean Says Cops Treated Him 'Like A Criminal' After Mistaken For Suspect

Grammy-winning artist Wyclef Jean threatened to sue authorities in Los Angeles in a video posted early Tuesday that shows him in handcuffs following what he’s calling “another case of mistaken identity.”

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson confirmed to The Huffington Post that their deputies had detained him. Jean had initially accused the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPD has since denied being involved in the case.

The “Gone Till November” singer said he had just left a recording studio when he was ordered to put his hands up by officers, despite identifying himself.

“Black man with red bandana robbed a gas station as I was in the studio working but im in handcuffs?” he tweeted.

In an Instagram video, the former Fugees musician is heard telling the officers that he plans to sue the LAPD.

A statement released by a representative of Jean hours after the incident accused the deputies of police brutality, racial profiling and police bias.

“Mr. Jean is requesting a formal investigation into racial profiling by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and the LA Sheriff’s Department while calling upon the ACLU and Black Lives Matter to join him in defense of civil liberties and racial bias,” the statement read.

Authorities confirmed to HuffPost that Jean was placed in handcuffs but called it a detainment and not an arrest. The entire incident lasted about 10 minutes, said Sgt. D. Walker.

They proceeded to ignore me and I was treated like a criminal until other police showed up and pointed out they had wrong person.

NBC News, citing local police, said that the officers were looking for an armed suspect who was described as a black male wearing a gray or dark-colored hoodie and red bandana. The suspect was also said to have fled in a gold or tan Toyota sedan, which a West Hollywood patrol unit said matched Jean’s vehicle.

After being ordered out of the car and placed in handcuffs, authorities said that Jean was released once it was determined that he was not the suspect.

The Haitian-born artist, who grew up in New Jersey, is also known for his humanitarian work and attempt to run for president of his home country.

This story has been updated with a statement from Jean’s spokesperson.